Coronavirus Resources

Whether you're at the library, at school, or at home, you can access a wide range of resources with your library card 24/7. Download the Libby app to access thousands of free eBooks and eAudiobook titles. Learn how to get started.

Now through June 30, Berks County residents can sign up for an Instant Digital Card. Check out digital library materials from OverDrive and Libby instantly without a physical Berks County Public Libraries card.

E-Books (EBSCO) - 5 eBook Collections Courtesy of EBSCONeed access to more eBook options and research content to complete at-home assignments for classes? EBSCO wants to help Pennsylvania communities in this time of crisis and is making several eBook collections available for full access to all POWER Library patrons for the time being.

eBook collections available:

Public Library Collection

K-8 Collection

High School Collection

Cricket Media Collection (This collection explores a wide range of subjects to help young readers explore and expand their worlds. Students from pre-K to 8th grade can build strong literacy skills with digital access to award-winning, short-form fiction and nonfiction titles by Cricket Media.)

Home Together ResourcesPA Parent and Family Alliance has collected and categorized free resources for families staying at home.

PBS Learning MediaPBS has curated videos and lesson plans for your convenience. Some of Ken Burns’s documentaries (The Roosevelts, Jazz, College Behind Bars, The Civil War, The Dust Bowl, The War, and The National Parks) are also available here for free until June 30

POWER LibraryGet ready to find a world of information with POWER Library's e-resources. Access with your library card. If you do not have a library card, you can register for a POWER Library e-card good for POWER Library electronic resources.

WonderopolisEach day, Wonderopolis posts a new “Wonder of the Day” question designed to get kids and families to read, think, talk and learn together! Questions range from “Can you cook an egg on the sidewalk?” to “Is a computer bug an insect?” and many more!

Entertainment

Berks Libraries BINGO BoardJoin the Stay at Home Family BINGO game! Complete activities and reading prompts in the squares. Finish 5 in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to get a BINGO! When you get BINGO, submit your answers on our Google Form at https://bit.ly/BingoAtHome to claim your certificate. The library will be posting resources and other information to help you complete your activities available at www.berkslibraries.org/coronavirus-updates

Dav Pilkey at HomeJoin the creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants each Friday for a new video!

Harry Potter at HomeEnjoy free activities, quizzes and articles related to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Also, use the OverDrive or Libby app to check out the eBook and eAudiobook of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with no wait times!

LeVar Burton ReadsLeVar Burton, literacy advocate, reads short stories to children, teens and adults each week live on Twitter at the following times:

Master List of Read-Alouds from AuthorsKeep kids entertained with stories read by their favorite authors. Many authors will also be livestreaming other activities such as sing-alongs and drawing classes.

My Hero is You: How Kids Can Fight COVID-19!The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), a part of the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has created a picture book geared towards children ages 6-11 to help them understand and cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Berks County Public Library

Established in 1986 as a federated library system, Berks County Public Libraries includes 19 libraries with 24 locations, each independently governed and operated by a local Board of Directors. The County of Berks supports the efforts of these community based libraries through its Library System department and through direct appropriation. As a department of County government, we provide administrative and centralized support services, coordinated outreach services to unserved populations, networked technology and act in liaison with other state and county agencies.